2008 Woodie Awards
Freak Out and Puke
Journey through the Lab of Horrors
Matthew Kruse
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Culture
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That is the type of real-life research Flatmo puts into creating the fourth annual Haunted Kinetic Lab of Horrors. His crew will be putting in extra hours and using their collective experiences to make this year more entertaining than ever.
Flatmo moved to the North Coast in 1977 when he was 21.
"Been up here 30 years making a mark," said Flatmo.
He is a well-known artist in the community and has painted several local murals. These murals include the one on the new Co-op in Eureka, the back of the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts and at Pierson Lumber in Eureka. Flatmo is also known for the artwork on the Lost Coast Brewery labels. On top of these projects he creates kinetic sculptures.
The World Championship Kinetic Sculpture Race takes place every Memorial Day weekend. It is a 42-mile course that takes three days to complete. Competitors drive man-powered sculptures from Arcata to Ferndale on sand, water and road.
The Kinetic Lab is a year round facility where sculptures that enter the race are built. Beside Flatmo, Ken Beidleman, Scott Cocking and June Moxon use the lab as their space for kinetic sculpture creation. The four artists all work together to create this Halloween treat.
The Haunted Kinetic Lab of Horrors is a fundraiser to keep the lab operating. The profits from the haunt end up covering about half of the years rent. "We're available Monday the 29th and Tuesday the 30th to rent for large private parties," said Moxon. The Lab of Horrors is open for public frightening the weekend before Halloween and on the day of Halloween.
The Lab hosts an open house on the last weekend in April to cover the remaining costs.
There are some restrictions that concern people considering attending. The age limit had to be imposed because of kids having traumatic episodes that halted the flow of clients. No one under 14 without an adult is allowed and even with an adult, the cutoff will be 12. People that have seizures should beware that multiple strobe lights will be used. This year will also feature a security guard to do a fire-watch to ensure the safety of everyone who visits.
Other attendants should not worry much. There is a "no-touch" policy. Cocking said, "If you're afraid of fear; don't come."
The crew is committed to making this the best Halloween experience over the Lab of Horrors' four-year run. "We can't just do the same thing," said Flatmo.
Beidleman said, "We at least add to it," referring to frights that the crew has chosen to keep as part of the experience. The reoccurring scenes or monsters will be changed so that it is a completely unique sight. Over the past three years, the crew noticed the line could become rather long. The overall clutter of the lab often distracted clients and caused bottlenecks. "We didn't have the layout right, but have learned how to make it flow" said Beidleman. The crew is becoming more adept at focusing the client's attention where it should be and keeping the line moving.
The Haunted Kinetic Lab of Horrors hums with life. It is described as having an industrial sound quality that adds to the overall ambiance. Against this backdrop are a number of planned surprises and grotesque displays, like an old-fashioned carnival freak show. Brian Slayton, known as "Funguy" to local Arcata residents will be there as the scariest clown ever. A room lit with strobes and composed of checkerboard background, known as "the disorientation room," will be back, but arranged differently.
"We always make it better because we learn every year," said Beidleman.
Matthew Kruse can be reached at mwk7@humboldt.edu
Info Box:
This fright show will be open October 26, 27 and 28 from 7-11 p.m. On Halloween night it will be open from 7 p.m. until midnight. There is a $5 entrance fee. No one under 12 is allowed, and ages 12 to 14 require parent supervision. The lab is located on the corner of 8th Street and N Street in Arcata.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Crystal Muzik
posted 10/27/07 @ 4:13 PM PST
If there is going to be an article about something as cool as a lab of horrors, it would be a bit helpful to at least have where the place is located at so I could actually go to it !
(thank goodness I have a computer, because it's listed online, but not in the paper!)
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